Otitis Media With Effusion (OME) and Eustachian Tube Dysfunction: The Role of Allergy and Immunity—An EAACI Position Paper

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • L. Klimek - , Center for Rhinology and Allergology Wiesbaden (Author)
  • H. A. Brough - , Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, King's College London (KCL) (Author)
  • S. Arasi - , IRCCS Ospedale pediatrico Bambino Gesù - Roma (Author)
  • S. Toppila-Salmi - , University of Eastern Finland, University of Helsinki (Author)
  • Christoph Bergmann - , Klinik RKM 740 (Author)
  • M. Jutel - , Wrocław Medical University (Author)
  • J. Bousquet - , Berlin Institute of Health at Charité, CHU Montpellier (Author)
  • V. Hox - , Université catholique de Louvain (Author)
  • P. Gevaert - , Ghent University (Author)
  • P. V. Tomazic - , Medical University of Graz (Author)
  • C. Rondón Segovia - , Hospital Regional Universitario Carlos Haya, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga (IBIMA) (Author)
  • C. Cingi - , Osmangazi University (Author)
  • M. Cuevas - , Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery (Author)
  • M. Gröger - , Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (Author)
  • P. Huber - , Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (Author)
  • S. Reitsma - , University of Amsterdam (Author)
  • M. Rudenko - , London Allergy & Immunology Centre (Author)
  • J. Maza-Solano - , Hospital Universitario Virgen Macarena (Author)
  • S. Gane - , School of Advanced Study, Royal National Throat, Nose and Ear Hospital (Author)
  • A. Karavelia - , General Hopsital of Nafplio (Author)
  • L. van Gerven - , KU Leuven (Author)
  • M. Schiappoli - , Verona Integrated University Hospital (Author)
  • B. Bozkurt - , Selcuk University (Author)
  • S. Becker - , University Hospital Tübingen (Author)
  • A. Chaker - , Technical University of Munich (Author)
  • B. Wollenberg - , Technical University of Munich (Author)
  • R. Mösges - , University of Cologne (Author)
  • T. Huppertz - , University Medical Center Mainz (Author)
  • J. Hagemann - , Center for Rhinology and Allergology Wiesbaden (Author)
  • O. Palomares - , Complutense University (Author)
  • F. Bärhold - , Center for Rhinology and Allergology Wiesbaden (Author)
  • O. Pfaar - , University Hospital Gießen and Marburg (Author)
  • S. Del Giacco - , University of Cagliari (Author)
  • P. Bonadonna - , Verona Integrated University Hospital (Author)
  • A. Moreira - , University of Porto, São João Hospital (Author)
  • I. Agache - , Transilvania University of Brasov (Author)
  • C. A. Akdis - , University of Zurich (Author)
  • W. Fokkens - , Amsterdam University Medical Centers (UMC) (Author)
  • J. Walusiak-Skorupa - , Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine (Author)
  • L. de las Vecillas - , La Paz University Hospital (Author)
  • M. Alvaro Lozano - , Hospital Sant Joan de Déu Barcelona (Author)
  • M. Giovannini - , University of Florence, Meyer Children's Hospital IRCCS (Author)
  • E. Untersmayr - , Medical University of Vienna (Author)
  • W. Feleszko - , Medical University of Warsaw (Author)
  • A. Cianferoni - , University of Pennsylvania (Author)
  • U. M. Sahiner - , Hacettepe University (Author)
  • I. Eguiluz-Gracia - , Hospital Regional Universitario Carlos Haya, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga (IBIMA) (Author)
  • M. Shamji - , Imperial College London (Author)
  • M. J. Torres Jaén - , Hospital Regional Universitario Carlos Haya, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga (IBIMA) (Author)

Abstract

IgE-mediated allergies play a significant role in respiratory diseases. Given the similar mucosal epithelium of the upper and lower respiratory tracts and their shared (patho)physiological immune responses, the “unified airways” concept views these tracts as a single system. Recently, this model has been extended to include the middle ear, with studies confirming that the Eustachian tube and middle ear are both anatomically and functionally part of the upper airways. However, the relationship between allergies and middle ear disorders remains controversial, with conflicting findings regarding pathogenesis and treatment. The increasing prevalence of allergies highlights the importance of further research. In Germany, the current sensitization rate to aeroallergens is 33.6%, with similar trends across Europe, where rates commonly range up to 30%. This widespread increase underscores the urgent need for a deeper understanding of the correlation between allergies and middle ear disorders across diverse European populations. Ineffective pharmacotherapy or possibly harmful medication for acute and chronic OME, such as systemic steroids, is most likely used globally in an uninformed way, due to a lack of evidence on the connection between allergic inflammation and eustachian tube dysfunction. Further research is essential to clarify the mechanisms linking IgE-mediated allergies to middle ear pathologies and to develop effective treatment strategies. Addressing these knowledge gaps is critical for improving patient outcomes and managing the rising burden of allergic diseases.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2429-2441
Number of pages13
JournalAllergy: European Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology
Volume80
Issue number9
Publication statusPublished - Sept 2025
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

PubMed 40242889
ORCID /0009-0007-1117-2210/work/199964176

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Keywords

  • eustachian, eustachian tube, IgE allergy, middle ear, mucosal immunity, pediatric allergy, tube dysfunction